Storyline: Natsu didn't like his parent's very much, and so when they asked him to do something he sure as hell never wanted to do it. But he didn't really have a choice this time. On the way to the one place Natsu very much did not want to go he dreaded what was to happen. What if the small amber-eyed girl he was partnered with changed his mind?
This really wasn't his thing.
His parents could hide every single match in the house. They could ban him from seeing his uncle Igneel and Metalicana. They could force him to go to countless parties of small talk and cocktails and all that he despised but this - this was too far.
"Come on, Natsu," his older brother said lightly as he drove them to the studio. "I had to do this when I was sixteen too and I really liked it!"
"That's 'cause you want to be like Mom and Dad, Miss-Priss," Natsu grumbled as he glared out the window of the car angrily. Zeref sighed.
"No one said I wanted to be like Mum and Dad," Zeref disagreed as he made a turn towards their destination. "I was just more obedient than you."
"Was?"
"Shut up."
As Zeref finally parked Natsu didn't hide his groan and banged his head on the head rest a few times as the severity of the situation sunk in.
"I don't – wanna – be - here," he moaned in between each thump of his head. Zeref just laughed again and opened the door to get out. Natsu reluctantly followed suite.
He buried his hands deeply in his sweat pockets as he made his way to the extravagant looking building, his gaze wary. He pulled at the collar of his baggy t-shirt as they came closer and Zeref thumped his arm lightly, shaking his head but Natsu could see amusement in his eyes.
"You're enjoying this far too much, brother," Natsu growled quietly as they made their way into the building. Zeref just shook his head again.
"I think you'll like this," he told him, he went on before Natsu could protest. "I know you're a head-strong idiot and don't like being told what to do but, Natsu you already know how to dance!"
Natsu groaned and hung his head back as Zeref continued.
"This is one of the best dance schools in all of New York and you're most likely going to be better than any student here, unlike me." he grumbled at the end, earning a chuckle from Natsu.
"Dancing was the only thing I ever surpassed you in," Natsu laughed gruffly, and Zeref rolled his eyes.
"Dancing was never my best trait but it's definitely one of yours," Zeref frowned. "I've got two left feet and yet you can do all this stuff without any guidance. It's annoying."
"Then you know what it's like being in your shadow, Queen Zeref," Natsu countered with a grin and Zeref glared angrily, shoving his arm.
"You do not live in my shadow," he argued. "Mom and Dad are just a little pushy since you're so…"
His brother eyed him in exasperation making Natsu stifle a laugh.
"So what?" Natsu asked with a grin.
"Rebellious?"
Natsu barked a laugh.
"Rebellious?"
"Disobedient." Zeref tried again, earning a nod from Natsu when he stopped laughing.
"That's more accurate I think," he was going to say more but kids in baggy dance wear and snobby looking instructors began to make their way towards them. Zeref turned his gaze from Natsu and smiled at the instructor, who met his gaze in shock.
"Zeref?" she asked, and he laughed.
"Hello again, Miss Crowley," Zeref grinned before gesturing at Natsu. "I'm here for my younger brother - he'll be trying out your class."
The woman eyed him warily. "Is he anything like you?"
Zeref and Natsu laughed in sync.
"No," Zeref shook his head and smiled proudly. "Natsu has some kind of, natural talent for dancing."
"Hmm," the woman hummed and began to circle Natsu like a predator circling its prey, prodding at his stomach and sides. Natsu looked up to Zeref for help - He just nodded and lifted a palm in reassurance.
"Well," she said finally as she turned to face Zeref. "I think you're right. We can expect great things from this boy. Fortunately, I have a student of the same principles in my class who is without a partner since she is above the others,"
Natsu didn't miss how the woman smiled fondly.
"Maybe you will be compatible partners!" she clapped her hands together in excitement and gestured to the door they were to walk through.
"Alright," Natsu said slowly, a frown furrowing his brow. "I'll be right in."
The dance teacher made her way into the studio and Zeref released his laugh.
"Maybe you'll be compatible partners!" He mocked and Natsu thumped him in the arm.
"Shut up," he sneered. "Take me home."
"No," Zeref laughed. "If I had to do this, you do too."
Zeref nudged him through before leaving, claiming he'd pick him up in two hours.
Natsu entered the room warily. The other kids his age was stretching and chatting away, all seeming to be in groups. They fell apart as Miss Crowley called their attention.
"Alright, class," she shouted, and all eyes turned to her and Natsu, "We have a new student today who will be trying out the class to see if it is to his liking."
Natsu bowed his head in annoyance as she said that. It made him sound like the rest of these prissy idiots.
"I would like Lucy to partner with him since they're at the same level."
Natsu heard a few gasps around the room and looked up to see a blonde girl making her way forward, looking at Natsu as if he were a science project.
"Same level, huh?" she murmured as she eyed him and the others began talking again, no doubt about them. Lucy hummed as looked at him just as Miss Crowley did.
If she's going to ogle me, I may as well ogle her, Natsu thought in irritation and looked the small girl up and down.
This Lucy girl had long, blonde hair that fell past her waist and was tied in a loose side ponytail. She sported some working out leggings that hugged her legs nicely and a tight black crop top that fit her nicely also. Her small top exposed her toned stomach, but it wasn't like she was ripped or anything. She had a good body for dance, he admitted to himself before looking up to her face as she looked up at his.
Her eyes were cool. They were a warm amber colour that seemed to never waver, could see straight into his soul. Natsu shook off the strange thoughts and stuck out a hand but left the other in his pocket.
"Natsu Dragneel," he introduced himself as her small hand wrapped around his own. She smiled at him lightly.
"Lucy Heartfilia," she said before Miss Crowley started yelling again.
"Okay you two," she shouted to Natsu and Lucy. "Now that you have got aquatinted, how about you try some improvisational dancing? I want to see that my assumptions are correct and that you indeed are well-matched partners."
Natsu shrugged indifferently and removed his jacket to place it in the corner of the room. Lucy pulled her hair from its restraints and Natsu was distracted by the way it swirled around her body for a second.
Straight away, it wasn't the sort of dance he'd expected. He expected soft piano music and ballroom dancing. The type he despised but could do perfectly. He was surprised when he walked towards Lucy since the music was more upbeat, the intro starting off with a twang of guitars.
He arched a brow at Lucy but proceeded to rest his hand on her waist and wrap his other one around her small hand and pulled her close to his body abruptly as the beat began. Lucy gasped lightly but she kept up fine. He assumed she had never really showed her full potential 'cause she didn't have a partner to show her potential with. But Natsu was something else.
He was quite certain that he hadn't heard the song before and yet he could easily tell when every beat came, every curve of the notes and he and Lucy matched their dancing perfectly to it. An abrupt note would be an abrupt move and as the music grew softer, he'd spin Lucy out perfectly before curling her towards him again.
They ended how they began, stood with Natsu's hand on Lucy's waist and Lucy's on his shoulder and their hands clasped at their side. The corner of Natsu's mouth pulled up in a cocky smirk.
"Not bad," he breathed, releasing her. Lucy laughed and ran and hand through her hair, rather breathless.
"Not too bad yourself," she countered, grinning at him. The other students were looking at the two in envy. Lucy felt their gaze and cast a sharp glance to them, making them look away quickly. Natsu laughed.
"Guess we are compatible then." He teased and Lucy rolled her eyes.
"Well, what about you?" she asked, making Natsu raise his brows in question. "Thought you were he to see if this place was to your liking."
Natsu cringed before shrugging, offering a hand to Lucy as the music started again.
"I could grow to tolerate it."
